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Friday, April 17, 2026 · sitting No. 105
Commons advances lawful access bill after privacy debate
The House spent the largest share of its time on government orders for the Lawful Access Act 2026. Conservative MP Ziad Aboultaif said Canada remains the only Five Eyes country without such a system and called for committee study to strengthen the bill while protecting privacy rights. Bloc Québécois MP Claude DeBellefeuille questioned whether the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency would receive timely notification of orders under Bill C-22.
Question period featured repeated exchanges on the economy and fuel taxes. Conservative MP Gabriel Hardy said 60 per cent of Canadians report financial strain from price increases and asked why the government continues to tax essentials. Liberal MP Mélanie Joly replied that wage growth has outpaced inflation and that a federal excise tax cut effective Monday will deliver 10 cents per litre at the pump.
Further clashes arose over the notwithstanding clause and CRA payments. Bloc Québécois MP Marilène Gill accused the justice minister of seeking to constrain Quebec's use of the clause before a Supreme Court ruling. Conservative MP Gérard Deltell asked how many millions the Canada Revenue Agency has issued to fraudsters without verification.
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
Question Period – April 17, 2026. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube
Who held the floor · 2026-04-17
AI-rated The sitting score and the rating of each answer come from a language model reading Hansard. How the AI rates this
Other moments
Rail Transportation
Conservative MP Michael Barrett said the transport minister dismissed concerns over the $90-billion Alto project and urged cancellation to protect homes and farms in eastern Ontario.
Read the exchangeInfrastructure
Bloc Québécois MP Claude DeBellefeuille said Salaberry-de-Valleyfield risks losing its price guarantee on a bike path because federal approval has not arrived after two years.
Read the exchangeFirearms
Conservative MP Jason Groleau said Bill C-21 treats hunters as criminals and wastes nearly $1 billion while real crime rises.
Read the exchangeIndigenous Affairs
Conservative MP Chak Au said the City of Richmond has received no commitment to defend property rights in the Cowichan land claim.
Read the exchangeHealth
New Democrat MP Heather McPherson asked what it will take for the government to enforce the Canada Health Act against two-tier plans in Alberta.
Read the exchangeQuestion Period, exchange by exchange
AI-rated Each answer’s rating (answered, partly answered, deflected, answered something else) is a model’s reading of the exchange. How the AI rates this
- deflectedThe EconomyGabriel Hardy (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reframes the question around policy defense rather than addressing the claim of ideological spending and taxation.
what is ideological about our decision to lower the price of groceries, lower the price of oil and lower taxes in this country?
- partly answeredThe EconomyGabriel Hardy (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses housing measures but pivots to attack Conservatives instead of fully explaining youth economic despair after 11 years.
we will be there to help build more homes across Quebec and across the country.
- misdirectedThe EconomyKyle Seeback (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks Conservative voting record and avoids addressing whether Liberal programs are failing amid deficit growth.
The Conservatives want us to believe that they would actually do more for Canadians but, every chance they get, they would do less.
- deflectedThe EconomyKyle Seeback (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists Liberal tax cuts but ignores the core claim that policies have left Canadians near insolvency.
We have moved forward with the groceries and essentials benefit, which is worth almost $1,900 for the average Canadian family.
- deflectedTaxationRachael Thomas (Conservative) asked Leslie Church (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the 10¢ cut but does not address why it rejected the larger 25¢ proposal or why savings are illusory.
This Monday, a federal break on the excise tax on fuel comes into effect, which is going to save Canadians 10¢ at the pump.
- deflectedTaxationRachael Thomas (Conservative) asked Leslie Church (Liberal). loaded question.The answer emphasizes cumulative Liberal cuts but sidesteps the question of real net savings given summer price hikes.
we have actually saved Canadians 28¢ at the pump when we cancelled the carbon tax and now, as of Monday, with an additional 10¢ that we are taking off
- deflectedJusticeMarilène Gill (Bloc) asked Patricia Lattanzio (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to Charter defense without addressing the timing or intent to constrain the notwithstanding clause before a ruling.
the Minister of Justice 's comments will always support the fact that this government is the party of the charter.
- deflectedJusticeMarilène Gill (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights cooperation with Quebec but avoids the claim of limiting provincial powers on secularism and language.
we are going to work together to defend Quebeckers and Canadians.
- deflectedJusticeMario Simard (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores the veto and secularism question entirely and pivots to jobs and a visiting premier.
Our objective is to protect jobs, create more jobs and improve the living condition of Quebeckers in the midst of a tariff war.
- partly answeredThe EconomyJohn Barlow (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.Answer addresses the RBC report claim by quoting a different passage but does not engage the trillion-dollar promise to Trump.
Canada is back on the radar of global investors. Last year, foreign direct investment in Canada reached nearly $100 billion, the highest level since 2015.
- deflectedThe EconomyJohn Barlow (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.Answer again quotes the RBC report and ignores all specific farm-tax and research-centre questions.
As usual, Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives do not actually read the reports they quote in this House.
- deflectedTaxationDane Lloyd (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.Answer lists existing benefits but never addresses the specific refusal to remove fuel taxes or the one-third tax-cut criticism.
The groceries and essentials benefit is almost $1,900 for families.
- answeredTaxationDane Lloyd (Conservative) asked Leslie Church (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly explains the excise-tax removal and its effect on fuel prices and businesses.
Canadians are going to get a real break on Monday, when they see the prices drop at the gas pump by 10¢ a litre with the federal excise tax on fuel coming off.
- partly answeredTaxationRoman Baber (Conservative) asked Leslie Church (Liberal). loaded question.Answer covers the excise-tax cut and benefit but sidesteps the foreign-aid comparison and GST/clean-fuel demands.
They are going to feel that this Monday when they see prices drop at the gas pumps because we are removing the federal excise tax on fuel.
- misdirectedTaxationRoman Baber (Conservative) asked Leslie Church (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks the Conservatives on school food instead of addressing gas-tax or deficit questions.
it is more than a bit rich to hear the member opposite talk about kids going hungry when that party will not vote in favour of a national school food program to save their lives.
- misdirectedTaxationKathy Borrelli (Conservative) asked Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservative policy positions rather than answering why fuel and grocery taxes were not cut.
What would the Conservatives do? We see what we are doing.
- deflectedInfrastructureClaude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked Gregor Robertson (Liberal). substantive question.The answer gives general statements about negotiations instead of addressing the specific deadline or lack of response.
we are at the negotiating table; we are in discussions with Quebec.
- deflectedInfrastructureClaude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer offers broad assurances about working on solutions without providing any timeline or confirmation for the projects.
We are working on solutions to support active transportation throughout Quebec.
- deflectedCanada Revenue AgencyGérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids giving any number and instead emphasizes seriousness and inability to comment on specific cases.
While we cannot comment on specific cases that are matters before the courts
- deflectedCanada Revenue AgencyGérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses general service improvements and enforcement without addressing the veteran's specific unpaid ruling or the contrast raised.
the CRA deals with millions of tax filings and does its very best to ensure a high quality of service.
- deflectedFirearmsJason Groleau (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.The answer provides positive program details and enrollment numbers instead of addressing whether the law is a failure or should be scrapped.
This is a program that essentially will ensure that prohibited firearms are off our streets.
- deflectedFirearmsJason Groleau (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights the importance of the program and past tragedies without answering whether it will be scrapped.
We know that the program is important to ensure the safety and security of Canadians.
- deflectedTaxationGaétan Malette (Conservative) asked Sophie Chatel (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges gas price help for farmers but pivots to unrelated tax credits and processing without addressing use of extra revenues.
Yes, reducing the price of gas will really help farmers, but we are not stopping there.
- deflectedCanada Revenue AgencySandra Cobena (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). substantive question.The answer stresses safeguards and illegality but refuses to confirm or deny the specific $5-million fraudulent payment.
The CRA has implemented additional safeguards to help ensure greater consistency and accuracy in refund processing.
- deflectedCanada Revenue AgencySandra Cobena (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids specifics on fraud amounts or confidence by citing court proceedings.
The matter is before the courts, which we cannot comment on, of course.
- deflectedCanada Revenue AgencyJacob Mantle (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). substantive question.The response repeats general enforcement measures without addressing accountability.
I have already answered this question multiple times today, but I will just add that when debt is established to the CRA, the agency takes legal action if necessary, using all available measures to ensure compliance.
- deflectedTaxationJacob Mantle (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the tax cut proposal and repeats prior points on enforcement.
The matter that the member is referring to is before the courts, and I cannot comment further, obviously.
- misdirectedTaxationMel Arnold (Conservative) asked Gregor Robertson (Liberal). substantive question.The response shifts focus to housing initiatives instead of gas and food taxes.
When we look at the cost of housing, we see that we have more work to do with Build Canada Homes and many other initiatives on housing.
- misdirectedTaxationMel Arnold (Conservative) asked Randeep Sarai (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes existing benefits rather than addressing the requested tax relief.
She also thanks me for the dental benefit that is helping her and her children get dental care.
- deflectedIndigenous AffairsChak Au (Conservative) asked Rebecca Alty (Liberal). substantive question.The answer accuses the opposition of attacks while offering only a vague commitment to respond.
The Conservatives are trying to re-litigate this very serious court case using partisan political attacks, which could seriously undermine the legal process and the work we are doing.
- misdirectedIndigenous AffairsTamara Kronis (Conservative) asked Taleeb Noormohamed (Liberal). substantive question.The response attacks the Conservatives on fearmongering instead of outlining a plan for property rights.
The Conservatives are fearmongering, they are spreading misinformation and they are causing disruption in the economy of British Columbia.
- deflectedIndigenous AffairsTamara Kronis (Conservative) asked Rebecca Alty (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states a general preference for negotiation without addressing the specific appeal argument limitation.
However, as a government, we always prefer to negotiate instead of going to court.
- deflectedRail TransportationMichael Barrett (Conservative) asked Mike Kelloway (Liberal). loaded question.Answer promotes project benefits and consultations without addressing cancellation request or specific harms claimed.
We will work with all Canadians to make this project happen.
- deflectedRail TransportationMichael Barrett (Conservative) asked Mike Kelloway (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to partisan contrast and vague consultation claims instead of engaging environmental or rights concerns.
when it comes to nation-building projects, the Conservatives practise fear and loathing while we practise hope and action.
- misdirectedEthicsMichael Cooper (Conservative) asked Mike Kelloway (Liberal). substantive question.Answer dismisses the ethics inconsistency query with a fishing metaphor rather than reconciling the minister's actions with the screen.
This is a rather large fishing expedition.
- partly answeredAgriculture and Agri-FoodDavid Bexte (Conservative) asked Sophie Chatel (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges red tape concerns and references a committee report but does not commit to supporting the specific bill.
In committee, we just worked on a report that has several recommendations for our government, and we will be acting upon it.
- deflectedClimate ChangeAlexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Claude Guay (Liberal). rhetorical question.Rhetorical statement receives a broad policy restatement unrelated to the implied criticism of Liberal climate efforts.
Canadians voted to strengthen our economy and develop our natural resources while also fighting climate change.
- answeredHealthHeather McPherson (NDP) asked Maggie Chi (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly addresses enforcement of the Canada Health Act and outlines actions on Alberta's plan and federal investments.
Our government is continuing to engage with the Province of Alberta to better understand the various components and implications of its proposed changes and ensure they align with the principles of the Canada Health Act.